Structurally efficient cooled engine housing for rotary engines

Abstract

An engine includes a housing having a single wall, where the wall has a rib and a flange, and the wall provides a primary structure and cooling for the engine. A closeout is attached to an outer surface of the wall, and the closeout and the wall form a cavity. The closeout provides a secondary structure for containing a coolant fluid flow within the cavity. The closeout may be corrugated, and the ribs may be exposed to the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for an engine, comprising:
 a tubular housing structure extending along a centerline and comprising:
 an inner wall portion extending about and axially along the centerline; 
 a first flange projecting radially out from the inner wall portion; 
 a second flange projecting radially out from the inner wall portion; 
 a first rib projecting radially out from the inner wall portion, and extending axially between the first flange and the second flange; and 
 a second rib projecting radially out from the inner wall portion, and extending axially between the first flange and the second flange; and 
 
 a closeout radially recessed into a side of and forming a cavity with the tubular housing structure, and the closeout attached to the tubular housing structure; 
 wherein the cavity extends axially between the first flange and the second flange, laterally between the first rib and the second rib, and radially outward from the inner wall portion to the closeout. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the closeout is welded to the tubular housing structure. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the closeout carries a load from coolant within the cavity and the closeout is free of engine loads. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the closeout is one of a plurality of closeouts distributed about the centerline and attached to the tubular housing structure. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third rib projecting radially out from the inner wall portion, and extending axially between the first flange and the second flange; and 
 a second closeout radially recessed into the side of and forming a second cavity with the tubular housing structure, wherein the second closeout is attached to the tubular housing structure; 
 wherein the second cavity extends axially between the first flange and the second flange, laterally between the first rib and the third rib, and radially outward from the inner wall portion to the second closeout. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third rib projecting radially out from the inner wall portion, and extending axially between the first flange and the second flange; 
 a fourth rib projecting radially out from the inner wall portion, and extending axially between the first flange and the second flange; and 
 a second closeout radially recessed into the side of and forming a second cavity with the tubular housing structure, wherein the second closeout is attached to the tubular housing structure; 
 wherein the second cavity extends axially between the first flange and the second flange, laterally between the third rib and the fourth rib, and radially outward from the inner wall portion to the second closeout. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the closeout comprises sheet metal. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the closeout comprises a corrugated sheet of material. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fin projecting radially out from the inner wall portion and partially into the cavity. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the fin extends axially between the first flange and the second flange. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fins projecting radially out from the inner wall portion and partially into the cavity. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall portion has a trochoidal inner surface. 
     
     
       13. A rotary engine, comprising:
 a tubular housing structure extending along a centerline and comprising:
 an inner wall portion extending about and axially along the centerline; 
 a first flange projecting radially out from the inner wall portion; 
 a second flange projecting radially out from the inner wall portion; 
 a first rib projecting radially out from the inner wall portion, and extending axially between the first flange and the second flange; and 
 a second rib projecting radially out from the inner wall portion, and extending axially between the first flange and the second flange; 
 
 a closeout radially recessed into a side of and forming a cavity with the tubular housing structure, and the closeout attached to the tubular housing structure; and 
 a rotor arranged within an inner volume formed by and radially within the inner wall portion; 
 wherein the cavity extends axially between the first flange and the second flange, laterally between the first rib and the second rib, and radially outward from the inner wall portion to the closeout.